I want to be a CRNA

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Hello all CRNAs and SRNAs!!!

I am so glad that I found this community of nurses!! I am a 4th semester nursing student in Oklahoma, and here there are not many CRNAs let alone a school that offers a CRNA program. I'm reaching out because I have many many questions, but I'll start with a few in hopes that I get a response! All through my college career I have been deligent and dedicated to learning all I can about the CRNA profession, as well as maintaining good grades. I have tried to shadow CRNA after CRNA and I KEEP getting the shaft. During my medsurg clinical rotation, I have even passed out flyers to the CRNAs asking for help. Still, I got no response. I guess the mentality is that I'm still a nursing student and they don't take me serioiusly. I figure it shows that I know what I want to do and am starting the process to prepare myself as early as possible. Anyway, without further delay, here are a few questions that I have.

1). Where are some of the best CRNA programs? (I have seen the 2008 rankings with Virginia being #1, but I'm interested in Baylor in Texas. Anyone know about this school?)

2. I really would like to hear from some of the WOMEN CRNAs about pursuing your career AND having children. I am married and would like to start a family, but between nursning school, working post nursing school, and going onto CRNA school, I'll be 29 before I can even think about children!!! There has to be another way:o. CRNAs with children, would you advise going straight through school, OR is is possible to have a child in between time?

3. Is there ANY CRNA or student out there that would be willing to invest in a young student's future? I guess I'm looking for a mini mentor; someone I can ask questions and advice about the CRNA process. I won't be a pain, just need a bit of guidance. See, I'm a first generation college student and NO one in my family has even embarked on the journey of obtaining a MASTERS degree, but it is my dream. I just need some help, so I would appreciate ANY feedback:)

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Specializes in CRNA.

1. The rankings don't mean much of anything. They send a survey out to all the program directors in the country and ask them to rate all the other programs.

2. I think 29 is a great time to have children, but that really is a personal decision. Anesthesia school is intense and you will miss a lot of time with a baby if you have one before an anesthesia program. I was very happy I was through anesthesia school when I had my children in my early 30's.

3. Get good grades, especially in your sciences. Get a position in a busy ICU, one at a level I trauma center, or a busy CVICU is good. Work as much as possible, you will get the sicker patients sooner. Save money with the OT you pick up and you will need fewer student loans.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
Hello all CRNAs and SRNAs!!!

I am so glad that I found this community of nurses!! I am a 4th semester nursing student in Oklahoma, and here there are not many CRNAs let alone a school that offers a CRNA program. I'm reaching out because I have many many questions, but I'll start with a few in hopes that I get a response! All through my college career I have been deligent and dedicated to learning all I can about the CRNA profession, as well as maintaining good grades. I have tried to shadow CRNA after CRNA and I KEEP getting the shaft. During my medsurg clinical rotation, I have even passed out flyers to the CRNAs asking for help. Still, I got no response. I guess the mentality is that I'm still a nursing student and they don't take me serioiusly. I figure it shows that I know what I want to do and am starting the process to prepare myself as early as possible. Anyway, without further delay, here are a few questions that I have.

1). Where are some of the best CRNA programs? (I have seen the 2008 rankings with Virginia being #1, but I'm interested in Baylor in Texas. Anyone know about this school?)

2. I really would like to hear from some of the WOMEN CRNAs about pursuing your career AND having children. I am married and would like to start a family, but between nursning school, working post nursing school, and going onto CRNA school, I'll be 29 before I can even think about children!!! There has to be another way:o. CRNAs with children, would you advise going straight through school, OR is is possible to have a child in between time?

3. Is there ANY CRNA or student out there that would be willing to invest in a young student's future? I guess I'm looking for a mini mentor; someone I can ask questions and advice about the CRNA process. I won't be a pain, just need a bit of guidance. See, I'm a first generation college student and NO one in my family has even embarked on the journey of obtaining a MASTERS degree, but it is my dream. I just need some help, so I would appreciate ANY feedback:)

You at OU? I graduated from there in 2009 and I start CRNA school next month. I would wait on the children or wait on school while you have children. I have 4 and the youngest is 6 months old. My wife and I have an understanding that I will be very much hands-off for the next 3 years. I could not have done this without her and would not be successful without her.

I would wait till you are working before asking to shadow a CRNA. After you get working and build a relationship with some of these people then it will be easier to get in there and shadow.

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Not sure where you are, but the hospitals in Tulsa seem to use a lot of CRNA's. There's one who seems to handle primary anesthesia at SouthCrest, and I know of several at Hillcrest Medical Center (I worked in L&D and often CRNA's do the c/s. In fact, the one at SouthCrest does L&D (epidurals, anesthesia for c/s). If you are in Tulsa, try your best to get into St. Francis CCU, or any ICU at St. Francis. I think that would be my #1 choice, behind St. John.

If you are in OKC, I'm sorry but I know nothing about any OKC hospitals. Best of luck to you!

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thank you all so VERY much! The feedback is GREAT and much needed. Others feel free to respond as well....

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to morificeko:

No, I'm not at OU, although I did do my undergrad there. I'm at UCO and am LOVING it! Wow, what a small world.... you went to OU :)

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Specializes in CV/Thoracic ICU.

Hey there, my wife (Courtney) and I graduated from east central univ. We currently work at baptist (701,801), did u do any clinical rotations there? Anyways, I would wait until you start working before you shadow. Once you have a strong clinical background, the entire experience will make much more sense. You will understand the procedures better, medications, why he/she made certain decisions, etc. I know that deaconess hospital in Okc has crna's that work for them, so give them a call to try and shadow. Food

luck.

-Riley

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hello CourtneyM16,

I want to thank you so much for your response. It really means a lot to receive the help and advise! Also, I had an OB rotation at Integris, but I believe I'll be working there again just 2 floors above you in the 901 ICU!!!! I love Integris.

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